Youth exchanges

Youth exchanges are our main activity. Normally they occur in summer but we have also organised exchanges in autumn and winter.

Most of our exchanges take place in The Netherlands but we have also have organised exchanges abroad and we are always open for new opportunities.

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An international youth exchange is an exchange program, for which youngsters from all corners of Europe come together and live the exchange experience. An exchange has always a main theme (normally focused on social issues, or at least, connected to them), and also sub-themes. Based on these thematics we write a program between 8 and 16 days full of activities, workshops and a little bit of theory.

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The participants live together in the same building, 24h per day. They will cook for each other, clean for each other and learn how to cooperate with each other.

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Our exchanges have the aim to teach life lessons to youngsters, giving them tools which they can later on apply in their professional, social or personal life. These tools are skills which are acquired through the activities we realise during the program, based on the method: learning by doing. We strongly believe that the more action you take, the more results you can achieve.

Trainings

Trainings normally last up to 7 days.

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Trainings are based on a specific theme. However, our trainings program is strictly based on the chosen theme, therefore from day 1, until the last, the program builds up; this means that during the first days we will deliver the basics concerning the theme, and we will build up every day a little more until we can fully reach the goals. Trainings are based on non-formal activities as well but in a less playful manner if compared to an exchange. When participants come to a training, they come for themselves, to improve their skills (which can be professional, social, or of any other matter); during the training they will have the possibility to work by themselves, but also to work in a group, therefore dealing with different people, from different backgrounds and cultures.

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In our trainings we also apply the method "learning by doing", and we focus on stimulating the participant's sense of initiative and independency, so that they can adapt in different kind of situations, even if the setting is completely new for them.

ESC

European SOLIDARITY CORPS

Cherry has not realised an ESC project yet. This is actually Cherry's next plan, which is most likely close to happen in the surrounding of Emmen, The Netherlands. However, Eddie has vast experience in different EVS projects, and Tahira has even done EVS herself.

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The video (at the left) can give an idea of what ESC (or the old "EVS") means. This video was made during a two month ESC project, realised in Olde Vechte Foundation.

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So, what is ESC?

ESC is a unique life experience, and it has many reasons to be unique...one of them is because youngsters have the opportunity only once in their lives to become an ESC volunteer. Actually two, a long term ESC (1 year, the most advised) and a short term ESC (up to 2 months). However, when talking about ESC, the long term one is the one we consider. Why? Because in the short term one it is difficult to live the full experience that an ESC offers; 2 months are even not enough for a person to adapt in his new reality, and surely is too short to make full use of it. Normally the short term ESC is recommended to those who would like to get "a taste" of living abroad for a short time. While the long term ESC, is the "real thing".

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ESC is when youngsters (from 18 until 30 years of age) come (in this case) to The Netherlands, in order to do voluntary work. The participants have accommodation, food and health insurance taken care by the Dutch organisation (Cherry) which hosts them. Participants will realise voluntary work in basically, any kind of workplace which agrees on having volunteers and which appeals to the goals and objectives of the participant.

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ESC is an opportunity youngsters have to shape their daily life, during a year long, the way they want. Is the possibility to chase their dreams, make mistakes, acquire new experiences and most of all, learn what it means to live an independent life.

Erasmus+

Our projects are financially supported by Erasmus+ youth, The Netherland.

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Erasmus+ is the European Union programme for education, training, youth and sport. It runs for seven years, from 2014 to 2020, with organisations invited to apply for funding each year to undertake creative and worthwhile activities.

Erasmus+ aims to modernise education, training and youth work across Europe. It is open to education, training, youth and sport organisations across all sectors of lifelong learning, including school education, further and higher education, adult education and the youth sector. It offers exciting opportunities for participants to study, work, volunteer, teach and train abroad in Europe.

Would you like to have more information about our exchanges, trainings, or ESC? We will be more than glad to provide you with it! In case of any questions, doubts, or even if you would like to know more about us and our projects, do not hesitate contacting us!